Darien Historical Society

Cherry Lawn School: Former Local Boarding School, Founded by Immigrants, Ended by Fires

By |
Download PDF

Before Cherry Lawn Park became a park, it was the campus of a boarding school that was founded as the result of one tragedy and ended after a series of others. Dr. Fred Goldfrank, a physician in New York, founded the school in 1915 after his daughter Beatrice was stricken with a severe case of polio, leaving her unable to walk. Goldfrank abandoned his medical practice and decided to found a school that catered to her and other children with similar special needs. His home in Stamford served as the school’s original campus, with his backyard the students’ playground. By 1919, the school population had quickly grown, so Cherry Lawn School moved to a new 28-acre campus in Darien, where the school had classes for grades 6 to 12.

Darien Historical Society 2017

‘Haute Couture & Contemporary Designs of 20th Century’ — Darien Historical Society Exhibit Champagne Reception Friday

By |

In keeping with its mission to tell the ongoing story of “costume”, one of history’s most tangible artifacts, the Darien Historical Society is presenting designer and ready-to-wear styles that existed during and after World War II. Mannequins on the Runway, Haute Couture and Contemporary Designs of the 20th Century highlights five decades of fashion with designer outfits from the 1940s through the 1990s. It follows the history of prêt-à-porter, or ready-to-wear, as it largely replaced haute couture in the fashion industry. The exhibit opens on April 21 and runs through August 2017, with a Champagne Reception on April 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Ladies’ Luncheons with the Curator on May 3 and 10 at 11:30 a.m.

Curator of the show, Babs White, set up the exhibit to mimic a 20th century fashion show, with mannequins lined up as if on the runway. White, who has her own 47-year history with the Darien Historical Society as its costume curator, arranged the fashions chronologically, beginning with a 1947 design by Christian Dior.